Shakespeare ❆ Sirius Black [1]

Chapter Ninety Three

Nadia wished she could've stayed home for longer. She hated leaving her dad alone as she returned back to Hogwarts. But he was adamant on sending her off despite her offers to stay. She was sure Professor Dumbledore would have understood. Konstantin wanted her to go back to school, to let it get her mind off of everything that has been happening and let her focus on something else.

And while he was slightly right, it still felt different being back to Nadia herself. And it was. It felt odd being here. Continuing on with her routine as if nothing had happened. But something had happened. And if the knowledge itself wasn't bad enough, she had a constant reminder of it whenever she saw those she suspected to be responsible around the halls.

However, today was the worst of all days. Nadia scooted to the furthest edge of the desk at which she had been sitting, not wanting to be anywhere near the Slytherin sitting beside her. But he didn't seem to be able to take that hint as he whispered while Professor Carmichael had his back turned to the class.

"So, how'd you enjoy your holidays Nadia?" Lucius asked, and while Nadia refused to look at him as she tried to maintain her composure, she could just imagine the smirk he had on his face. She could hear it in his tone. But she didn't reply. No matter how much she wanted to.

She could feel Remus' worried eyes watching the side of her head, but she didn't acknowledge him. Or try to take note of whether her other friends were doing the same. She knew they would be. It was obvious from the start of the day as all knew it would be their first DADA class since coming back. Sirius and James had even suggested skipping.

"I gotta say, I welcomed the New Year quite happy." Lucius continued his taunts, speaking of how much of a great time he had while she had welcomed the New Year cleaning up her home after the funeral. More than anything in that moment she wanted to send all the curses she knew his way, but they were in the middle of a class. She couldn't.

"But the time between Christmas and then was far better. I think I'll remember the screams for a long time to come." Lucius whispered before letting out a chuckle. But his amusement didn't last for long as Nadia moved with the speed of light, standing from her seat so fast that the chair fell backwards while she drew and pointed her wand at Lucius.

Her actions made the whole class quiet down as now all eyes were on her. From the corner of her eyes, Nadia could see multiple figures stand around the classroom, her friends among some of them, while the others were Malfoy's fellow Slytherins. However, only one instantly made his way to her side.

"Nadia, not here. He's not worth it." Remus had rushed to her side, being the closest one. He put his hand on her shoulder as he whispered to her, hoping to calm her at least a bit, because the fire in her eyes and the anger which had sparked in seconds most definitely didn't bode well for Lucius. But if she did something to him here and now, she would most definitely be in trouble.

"Alright class, I think we're done for the day." Professor Carmichael called to the room, knowing it would be unwise to continue the class with the tensions among his students so obviously rising. People began to quickly file out of the room, not wanting to be caught in the middle of whatever seemed to be brewing. However, the Slytherins and Gryffindors closest to Nadia and Lucius didn't move a muscle, all waiting for someone to fire the first shot to defend their friend.

"Ms Volkov. Please, put the wand away." The Professor spoke again, looking at the girl with a calm expression. While she had pulled it from her robes and planned on using it, she would have done it by now. He was sure that if Malfoy didn't antagonize her any further, the situation could be defused.

It took Nadia a couple of moments, her glare never leaving Lucius' face which continued to observe her with a wary expression. But in the end she did put her wand away, placing it in its previous position in her robes. Seeing her actions, Lucius was quickly standing from his seat, walking out of the room with quick steps followed by Snape and Avery. All of Nadia's friends remained in the room. They weren't sure what would happen next, but they were ready to stand up for her should Carmichael suggest any disciplinary measures.

Sirius and James most of all. Sirius hadn't shared what he had discovered with anyone but James, and neither one trusted Carmichael's intentions were those of a mere teacher with whatever he did.

"Please, would you give Ms Volkov and I a moment alone?" Professor Carmichael asked politely, and while Lily, Marlene, Remus and Peter nodded their heads politely, beginning to gather their things and leave the room, James and Sirius were much more hesitant about it making the other four send them questioning looks.

"Mr Black, Mr Potter, I assure you I don't plan on giving Ms Volkov as much as a detention. I only wish to talk." He explained, thinking that their hesitance to leave was caused by the worry for the repercussion their friend may be facing.

"Go, I'll be fine." Nadia finally spoke, sending the two of them pointed looks knowing there was no use in avoiding this or putting it off. Reluctantly, Sirius and James began to move too, following after the rest of their group. However Sirius made a point of stopping beside Nadia and whispering to her.

"Just call out if you need me." He told her softly, making her give him a confused look. Why would he think she would need help? Even if the Professor did threaten to give her detention, or possibly even expel her, it wouldn't be unwarranted. There would be nothing he or anyone else could do about it.

Once all of them had made their way out of the room and the door closed behind them, silence enveloped the classroom as, finally, only Nadia and Carmichael were left inside.

"Nadia, I want to start by saying I am sorry about what had happened to your family over break." He was the one to break it as he spoke.

"Thank you professor." Nadia said silently. She wasn't about to tell him how tired of hearing those words she was by now.

"You have to remember, as much as Lucius can be cruel, he is not worth you risking everything you've accomplished so far." Professor Carmichael said as he moved over to lean on the table close by. He hoped he could make her see that. Had this happened in any other class, the teacher surely would have reacted much differently. She could have been expelled and she needed to finish her education.

"Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself." Nadia remembered the quote as she listened to the Professor's words. She knew he was right, it was why she didn't fire a spell at Malfoy as soon as she got the chance.

"It may be hard but you have to look to what you still have, and what still awaits you in the future. And for a talented witch such as yourself, I am sure it'll be a bright one." His words of encouragement made some of the anger and tension leave Nadia as she let out a breath she had been holding in for the majority of the class; ever since she sat down next to Lucius.

"You're right Professor, thank you. And thank you for not punishing me for what I had done." Nadia said with gratitude in her voice. She knew this could've gone much worse.

"It'sthe least I could do." Carmichael said with a small smile. Sirius and Jameswere right. His decision did have underlying motives. He did owe her that muchafter all.